wisdom to be justified by its manifest and consistent fruits and emanations.

The Gospel writings, therefore, which are now committed to our care for general dissemination, and for the edification of all degrees and generations of men, should not be as a 'sealed book,' but like the manna which fell in the wilderness, and the spiritual bread which came down from heaven; they should be rendered easy of access to all readers, and free from all unnecessary obscurity and concealment, or possible stumbling-block of offence to all who diligently, and with gospel humility, search after divine truth: so that all mankind may bless God, and spiritually feed, by faith with thanksgiving,' upon the holy and luminous doctrines of the Gospel, as taught by Jesus Christ, the true and Spiritual Light, which, like the glorious sun, when it "cometh into the world," and shineth in the firmament, diffuseth its pure and gracious rays and warmth to all the dwellers upon the earth: that thus men of all nations, "of every tongue and people," may know and see, as it were, and believe this great truth or doctrine, for the confirmation of which the Evangelist John tells us that he expressly wrote his Gospel; namely, that “JESUS, (that is the SAVIOUR,) is the Promised CHRIST— or MESSIAS―the Spiritually ANOINTED PROPHET of the Lord-" He who should come into the world"-the GLORIFIED SON of MAN-the Acknowledged, Chosen, and ONLY BORN and BELOVED SON OF GOD—“ in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed;"* and that, thus believing, all who read these Sacred Oracles may, through the knowledge and holy efficacy of the name, the doctrine, the example, and mediation of Jesus Christ, and through dutiful obedience to his commandments, even unto death, have the blessed hope and assurance of everlasting life; for so shall their souls be daily fed and nourished with the true and spiritual BREAD which cometh down from heaven:

66

Lord, we beseech thee, evermore give to us this true and spiritual bread." John vi. 32, 34.

In a few instances the Author of the Revision has presumed to suggest, at his own peril, a perfectly new or conjectural Translation of the original Greek Text: but, in these cases, he trusts that he has always done so in subservience to the rules of just and well-authorized criticism, and to what may be called the paramount authority of moral evidence and collateral scriptural truth; from the combined light of which, satisfactory, permanent, and practical conviction can alone be obtained;

*

John xx. 31. See Appendix. Scripture References: John i. 45, &c.

See "Introduction to Butler's Analogy." See also, "Herschel's Discourses on the Study of Natural Philosophy," pp. 10, 69, 74, 109, 266.

and which moral truth and evidence, in the lapse of future ages, (when all the present written documents, and the original oral tongue or language in which the holy Scriptures were spoken and indited, shall have "failed and passed away," and all the ancient human monuments connected with scripture history, like the stones on which the Divine Law was at first engraven, shall have perished,) will shine forth with the gospel radiance of the " Spirit of the living God," more and more even unto perfect day; when precept shall have been matured into practice, and the reign and terrors of "death be swallowed up in the victory" of the glorious Revelation and Spiritual Dominion of the Kingdom of Heaven, of the Word of God, and of the Gospel of Christ.

N. B. An Appendix, consisting of copious Scripture References, Occasional Comments, Observations, and Notes, Doctrinal, Explanatory, and Critical, in confirmation of this 'Revised Translation,' will be published in a separate small Volume.

THE diligent and more inquisitive reader of the New Testament would do well to provide himself with that truly excellent and valuable book, "The Family Expositor," by Philip Doddridge, D.D. A work equally and eminently distinguished, generally speaking, for its scriptural learning, piety, and gospel-spirit: and which, in addition to its, in many instances, improved version of the original Greek—its copious paraphrase or explanation of the text-useful and learned notes-practical and devotional improvement of each section and chapter, conveniently divided and harmonized agreeably to the succession of events, is moreover furnished with very concise and well-constructed tables of reference to the corresponding passages in the respective Gospels with appropriate introductions to the several Epistles-and, moreover, with an Appendix, containing short dissertations on the chronology of our Lord's ministry, and on the inspiration of the Old and New Testament—a chronological table of events—a general index of particulars recorded in the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles-and also a general index to the Epistles and Book of Revelation of St. John-and, finally, an index of Greek words and phrases referred to in the Notes, for the benefit of the learned.

Alexander Cruden's Concordance to the Holy Scriptures, so remark able for its correctness, and for its very valuable and authoritative definition and explanation of the more important and doctrinal appel

lative nouns and words in the Old and New Testament, in each of their various significations, is also an indispensable auxiliary to the inquiring scriptural reader, who would consider Scripture to be its own best interpreter. To which are added indexes to the proper names in the Old and New Testament (illustrated by the detailed signification of the original Hebrew, Greek, &c. words)—and a Concordance also to the proper names—and, finally, a separate Concordance to the books called Apocrypha.

N. B. The above two works are now published in stereotyped editions. A map of Judæa, or the Holy Land, of the city of Jerusalem, and of the Temple, would contribute much to the reader's information and satisfaction.

SUMMARY

OF THE

CONTENTS OF EACH CHAPTER

OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.

CHAPTER I.

1-6. JOHN the Evangelist expoundeth the meaning and high import of the Greek term 'Logos,' that is, the WORD' or 'WISDOM of God;' and declareth it to be, (1.) co-eternal, co-existent and co-essential with GOD himself, "The WORD was GOD." (2.) Moreover, he declareth it to be the first, primæval, active, and only Cause of all created things: (4.) to be the ‘Fountain or Source of eternal life,'—and also of all spiritual, moral, and intellectual Light, for the discovery of truth and virtue, in a world which had become obscured by the prevalence of sin and error.

6-15. John the Baptist is proclaimed as an acknowledged prophet and messenger sent from God, to announce and testify to mankind the near approach and manifestation of this universal and glorious, but hitherto unacknowledged and rejected, 'Light of Truth' and true Wisdom, which was about to be revealed on earth, in order to enlighten and purify the minds of men with the knowledge of God the Father, and of the divine and unerring 'Word' or 'Wisdom of God:' so that all men who were disposed to receive it and to believe in it, might by spiritual regeneration become 'sons or children of God:' being thus made conformable to God's holy will, and not to the sinful will of Man.' Moreover, John the Evangelist announceth, that this Word,' or 'Wisdom of God' was, at length, spiritually embodied or made man, and became incarnate on earth, in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ, (17) as the 'glorified Son of Man'-the Only-born, Beloved, and Chosen 'Son of God the Father,' being manifestly full of divine grace, mercy, and truth.

15-19. John the Baptist beareth testimony to the superior authority and dignity of Jesus Christ, when compared with his own office and ministry, as the last of the Prophets, under the covenant of the Jewish law: Christ alone having been pre-appointed in the counsels of God to become the true and divinely authorized Revealer of the 'perfect will' of God, by substituting the inward and spiritual law of the Gospel of grace and truth,' for the outward, temporal and penal 'statutes of the law of Moses.'

19-29. John the Baptist also, when sent to in the wilderness of Judæa by the Priests and Levites of Jerusalem, and when baptizing at Bethabara beyond the river Jordan, beareth direct and scriptural testimony regarding his own office, preparatory to the more divine ministry of Jesus.

29-35. John the Baptist testifieth to the divine and spiritual nature of Jesus, as the predicted Lamb of God,' on the occasion of Jesus' coming to be baptized by him.

35-43. Jesus calleth Andrew and his brother Simon (Peter), who were two of the disciples of John the Baptist, and to whom John had pointed out Jesus as the Lamb of God,' to come with 'him.' 43–51. Jesus goeth forth into Galilee, and calleth Philip of Bethsaida. Philip then announces to Nathanael, that Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph, was He of whom Moses in the Book of the Law, and the holy Prophets, had heretofore written. Jesus declareth to Nathanael the approaching spiritual communication between the angels of God and himself as the 'glorified Son of Man.' b

CHAPTER II.

1-12. Jesus goeth to a marriage-feast at Cana in Galilee, where he worketh his first recorded miracle, by turning water into wine. 12, 13. Jesus departeth with his mother brethren, and disciples to Capernaum, where they continued not many days. 13-18. Jesus goeth up to Jerusalem to the Passover-feast, and driveth out of the temple the buyers and sellers. 18-23. Jesus announceth his own divine authority, by alluding to the approaching destruction of the temple, and the future glorious resurrection of the temple of his own body from the destruction of death; thus building up' the future spiritual temple of God. 23-end. Many people believed in the divine power and authority of Jesus, in consequence of the miracles which he wrought there. Jesus withholdeth his confidence from man.

CHAPTER III.

1-14, Jesus converseth at Jerusalem with Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, on the nature of baptismal and spiritual regeneration. 14—16. The lifting up of the brazen serpent in the wilderness by Moses, is declared by Jesus to be typical or emblematical of his own bodily crucifixion, and also of his being lifted up on high, by his own resurrection from the earth and from the dead. 16-22. Jesus declareth himself to be sent from God into the world, to become the author and teacher of the doctrine of 'everlasting life' to all who believe in him, and keep his commandments. 22, 23. Jesus and his disciples go into Judæa, and baptize there. 23-25. John the Baptist baptizeth at the waters of Enon, near to the river Jordan and the town of Salim.

25-36. John the Baptist, moreover, beareth testimony to the superiority, authority, and divinity of Jesus Christ, as the Chosen, Only-born and Beloved 'Son of God.'

MATTHEW.
V...................... 12

CHAPTER IV.

LUKE.

MARK.
i................... 14, 15 1

JOHN.

iv............. 43-end.

1-27. Jesus leaveth Judæa, and passeth through Samaria to Galilee. He discourseth with a woman of Samaria at the well of Jacob; declareth to her the spiritual nature of the true worship of God; and maketh himself known to her as the promised Messias, or spiritually anointed Prophet of God.' 27-31. The surprise of the woman and of the Samaritans at this discovery. 31-39. Jesus explaineth to his disciples the nature of 'spiritual and gospel food.' 39-43. Many of the Samaritans believe on Jesus. 43-end. Jesus goeth to Cana in Galilee; and at the earnest and faithful entreaty of a nobleman of Capernaum, he healeth his sick son.

CHAPTER V.

1-10. Jesus goeth up to Jerusalem and healeth an impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, on the Sabbath-day. 10-17. The rulers of the Jews persecute Jesus, and seek to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath-day. 17-32. Jesus declareth his spiritual communion with God the Father, from whom he hath received power and authority to do these things; and hereafter, to pass just judgment of eternal life or condemnation, both on the living and the dead. 32–36. Jesus appealeth to the acknowledged truth and testimony of John the Baptist, in confirmation of gospel truth, and the divine authority of himself, as the promised Christ or Messias. 36- -39. Jesus appealeth also to the still higher, but hitherto disregarded, testimony of God in his favour, as manifested in the miraculous and gracious 'works' which he himself wrought, and in the holy word' or 'doctrine' which he taught. 39-47. Jesus exhorteth the Jews to search diligently the holy Scriptures, because from them they may learn, that he himself is the promised 'Prophet of God,' as foretold by Moses.

1-5. Jesus, a short time before the Passover-feast, passeth over a part of the Sea of Galilee to Bethsaida; and a great multitude follow him, because they saw the miracles